The real benefits of memorizing poetry for kids Did you have to memorize poems as a child? At preschool, school, or after-school clubs — many of us had to learn verses by heart. Some were fun and easy. Others were… not so fun.
But why do children still memorize poetry today? Is it really that important? Let’s take a look at how poetry helps your child’s brain, speech — and even bilingual development.
Why Is Poetry Useful for Kids?
School isn't just about reading, writing, and arithmetic. Some activities help build unique neural connections, logic, and overall cognitive development.
Learning poems by heart improves:
Poetry also connects children to Russian culture. It captures the feeling of a time period, the beauty of the language, and the emotions of the poet. This is especially important for bilingual children.
Poems help them feel the melody of the language, improve their stress and rhythm, and discover new words in context.
How to Make Poetry Fun
If your child just memorizes a poem word-for-word with no understanding, they’ll forget it quickly — and probably start to dislike poetry.
But poems can be fun!
Explain how people lived in the past, why poets wrote the way they did, and how these words connect with real life.
That way, the poem becomes a picture in your child’s mind — not just lines to memorize.
You can even make it a tradition: have a Poetry Day at home where everyone reads poems aloud to each other.
By the way, we’ve already shared some great summer-themed poems for kids of different ages in our blog.
Poems are one of the best tools for learning a new language. Why? Because rhyme helps memory. The rhythm and sound patterns make it easier to remember new words, and the context helps kids understand how to use them.
At Palme School, poetry is just one of the many creative ways we teach Russian. But we don’t just recite poems — we act them out, sing them, play games, and even have little poetry competitions. Our students love learning poems — and they often memorize them on their own, just for fun!
Want your child to love Russian poetry — and language learning in general? Join us at Palme School, where learning feels like play — and every child finds their voice in Russian. Sign up below for an online tour and meet our wonderful teachers!
